LoP seeks CBI probe in 'Bharat Mala'

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP), Dr Charandas Mahant called for a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Bharat Mala Project in the state, in a letter to Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari.

In his letter, Dr Mahant alleged that irregularities were committed during the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor's construction, particularly in the Abhanpur sub-division of Raipur district, encompassing land acquisition and compensation determination.

He alleged that public servants and landowners colluded in corrupt practices, causing an estimated financial loss of Rs 43,18,27,627 to the govt of India.

During the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly's budget session, Dr Mahant raised a question, which the revenue minister answered in writing on March 12, 2025. The Chhattisgarh revenue minister's written response acknowledged an investigation report indicating financial losses due to fraudulent mutation cases used to approve compensation.

The investigation report revealed that the actual compensation should have been Rs 7,65,30,692, but Rs 49,39,40,464 was determined and paid, resulting in an excess payment of Rs 43,18,27,627. The LOP attached the report of the investigation to the letter written to the union minister.

The report also found that illegal activities, including backdated sale/purchase registrations, partitioning, and mutations, occurred after the land acquisition notification. This led to the division of land holdings and inflated compensation rates.

"During the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly discussion on March 12, 2025, I requested the revenue minister and the chief minister to hand over the investigation to the CBI or form a legislative committee, given the involvement of a Govt of India project and the potential involvement of senior officials," Dr Mahant stated.

"However, my request was denied, and the revenue minister announced an inquiry by the commissioner. Later that day, on March 12, 2025, the cabinet decided to have the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigate the case. The EOW, a state agency, lacks the jurisdiction to investigate financial crimes related to the Bharat Mala Project. Any state agency action could be challenged in court, potentially invalidating their actions and allowing the culprits to evade punishment," he added.

Dr Mahant pointed out that the state govt received the investigation report on Sept 11, 2023, but took no action until he raised the issue in the Assembly. He believes this inaction indicates a lack of intent to pursue the matter. He stressed the need to recover the excess Rs 43.18 crore, along with interest, and noted the involvement of over 100 public servants and landowners.

He further stated that the investigation report only covered corruption in land acquisition for the Bharat Mala Project in the Abhanpur sub-division and omitted several key points, including the criminal conspiracy aspect. Therefore, any action based on this report would be legally vulnerable.